Undying Vengeance (27 page)

T
he black hawk
spread its wings, puffing out its white chest, reared its head and screamed.

Donovan jumped. He was staring at the darkness that surrounded Armani’s home.

Armani stopped pacing to look at the hawk. “What’s the matter with him?” He asked lines of concern on his face. “Is he sick?”

Donovan faced Armani. “No, he is not sick. Something is wrong. The hawk can sense these things.”

Adam had his head on the table cradling his broken hand, rocking back and forth. He didn’t bother to see what the hawk was doing. Alex stared at the hawk, his eyes bulging out of his head. A trickle of urine ran down his leg pooling underneath the chair. The sounds of his mmm, mmm, mmm were all he could say thanks to the duct tape.

“What could possibly be wrong?” Armani asked. “Everything seems to be going as planned so far. As long as Victor doesn’t take much longer, that is.”

Donovan stared hard at Armani. “That may be the problem.” He pivoted, staring out the window again. He couldn’t tell Armani his fears about Victor turning evil.

“You can’t just make a statement like that and turn away without an explanation.” Armani said. “Tell me what the hell is going on.” He demanded.

“Now is not the time or place for this discussion, Armani.” He said in a case closed tone. “Ah, I see headlights in the distance. Prepare yourself. The games are about to begin.”

The hawk screeched its eyes glued on Alex.

“I’m glad. I have seen enough of these two men and I am more than ready to kill them.” Armani said and impatiently tapped his foot.

Victor walked through the door. “Honey’s I’m home!” He yelled and laughed. He barged into the kitchen and slapped Adam upside the head on his way to the refrigerator. “I got all the tools necessary for the revenge kill.” He snapped open a beer and guzzled it before turning around. “Yeah, you’re welcome.”

“Thank-you,” Armani said. “Are you going to help me set it up?”

Victor whirled around, his cape whipped behind him. “Naturally I will as well as Donovan. Isn’t that right Donovan?” He asked. “I want the kill to be successful. Not some botch up half ass job.”

“Are you saying that I may not do it right?” Armani asked.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Victor replied eyes black and full of hatred. “When this is all said and done I’m leaving you in Donovan’s hands. I have a few private matters to attend to.” Victor hummed. “And don’t ask what it is because quite frankly, it’s none of your business.” He retorted glaring at Donovan expecting him to be nosy.

“Armani, if you’ll excuse me a moment.” Donovan stated flatly. “I need to use the restroom.”

Armani nodded and focused his attention on Alex and Adam. The hawk sat like a stone statue glaring at Alex. Armani supposed it was waiting for the command to eat Alex’s eye. “A few minutes, buddy and you can have your treat.”

Victor held two glass jars out to Armani. “Take this.”

“What is it?” Armani asked, confused. He took the jars and stared inside.

“It’s acid and you’re going to throw it on the left side of both Alex and Adam’s faces.” He said. Walking toward Alex he said, “Burn them as they burned you.” He smoothed his hand over Alex’s cheek and bent down to stare into his eyes. “You’re going to love your new look. And to think you thought the damage to your precious Cadillac was bad.” Victor patted the hawk’s head. “Well done damaging his vehicle by the way.” The hawk nodded. “Go ahead and feast.” Victor commanded.

Alex tried to push the chair away from the table tipping it over instead. The hawk was on top of him in a flash. Alex turned his head to the left and right trying to scream but all that came out was hmmm, mmm, hmmm.

“Thank God for the tape. No one wants to hear a coward scream.” Victor laughed. “Watch and learn Armani. You will get a hawk as well that you must train.”

The hawk used its powerful sharp beak and gouged it into Alex’s eye. Alex’s legs kicked like he was riding a bike. The hawk cocked its head, pushing its beak in further. Alex kicked harder moaning and groaning. The hawk grasped the eye, wriggling its head, pulled back and with a snap the nerve severed and the eye pulled from the socket. Blood gushed from Alex’s vacant eye socket. The hawk flew off Alex back onto the table and chomped the eye like it was an exquisite delicacy.

Armani cringed. This was the sort of thing he saw in horror movies, not his kitchen. What would Simone think? Had he gone mad? Was he a sociopath now? No, he wasn’t. Damn it, this was revenge and it felt good.

“Armani, stop thinking, set that damn acid on the counter and get a towel.” Victor ordered, leaning over Alex. “We must stop the bleeding. I don’t want him dying from blood loss.”

Armani threw Victor a towel and watched him shove it into the hole where Alex’s eye used to be. “There, there, Alex. It’s Ok. This is just an intro to the pain and torture you have coming that you deserve.” He mockingly patted his head like a man would his dog.

Alex muttered and moaned, cuffed to the chair and rolled side to side on his back like a beetle that can’t turn over and knows it’s going to die.

“Why must you put us through the torture?” Adam asked. The first few words he spoke in awhile. “Just kill us already.” He said and rolled his eyes. “This is sadistic.”

Victor grabbed Adam’s throat, squeezing hard. “Eye for an eye, Adam and I mean that literally this time, as you saw,” he seethed pointing at Alex. Lifting his leg, he kicked Adam’s chair over.

Adam groaned. “Why did you do that?” He asked. Staring at the ceiling, he prayed aloud this would end soon.

“Oh Adam, it’s too late for prayers.” Victor straddled Adam’s chair. “God doesn’t want to hear from you.” He smiled. “Armani, it’s time to dowse this boy with acid.” Glaring at Adam he asked, “Why did you kill Simone?” He snapped his fingers and said, “I know why, because you couldn’t have her.”

Adams face turned red and he screamed. “Fuck you! Fuck you both!”

Victor punched him. “Tell me why boy,” He ordered.

Adam spit. “Because I could and my face was the last thing she saw before she died. That was satisfaction for me.” A smug smile was plastered on his face. “How do you like that answer?”

Victor stepped aside and smiled.

Armani heard enough. Rage ran through his veins. He grabbed the jar of acid, leaned over Adam and poured it on the left side of his face. “How do you like that response to your answer?” Armani asked.

Adam screamed, closed his eyes and begged for mercy while the skin on his face sizzled like popcorn in oil. He turned his head trying to rub his burning face on the floor.

“Did Simone beg for her life?” Armani asked. “I bet she did.” He kicked him in the ribs over and over. “It’s just like you’re begging the floor to wipe the acid off your face.” He laughed hard. “It’s too late asshole.” Armani stared at Adam.

Victor shoved a mirror in Adams face. “Take a look, son. How do you like it?”

Adam tried to avoid looking in the mirror. Armani grabbed his face forcing him see his reflection. “Do you like what you see?”

Half of Adam’s face sizzled and purple and red sores protruded out of what used to be flesh. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes. “Stop this. Please.” He begged.

Victor raised his arms. “The only time we will stop is when you’re dead.” He set Adams chair back in its proper place and released the cuffs. “Stand up next to me, boy.” Victor ordered. “I believe it’s time for Alex to enjoy an acid bath.” He nodded at Armani. “How about we have Adam pour it on his old mans face?” He asked.

Victor enjoyed poetic justice. He firmly believed in spicing up the kills, making them more fun, interesting and mentally torturing. With Victor it all depended on his mood at the time of a kill. Some were swift and some were slow and deliberate.

“Pardon me,” Donovan poked his head into the kitchen. “I wanted to let you know that I’ll be outside preparing the kill zone.” He didn’t wait for a reply.

Adam dug his heels in the marble floor trying with all his might to resist Victor. “Stop fighting me or I will inflict more pain on you.” He gripped his arm tight, digging his nails into Adam’s arm. Drops of blood dripped on the floor like raindrops. “Understand.”

Adam nodded.

Armani handed Adam the glass of acid. “Do it.” He ordered.

Alex lay on his back staring at Adam with his remaining eye. He tried to squirm and wiggle away but Armani stomped on the chair securing it in place. Adam’s hand shook as he lifted the glass, turned his head and poured the acid on his dads face. “I’m sorry dad.” Adam whispered.

Alex shook his head to the left and right like a child telling their dad and mom no. Muffled sounds of agony came from his mouth.

Victor picked Adam up and congratulated him. “Let’s get the party started. Come.” He said leaving the kitchen.

Armani lifted Alex’s chair into a sitting position and unlocked the handcuffs. He grabbed Alex’s arm dragging him behind and followed Victor. The monster within had been released. Evil, hate and revenge filled his heart, soul and mind. The end was near for these men. Armani vowed to visit Simone when this was all said and done for closure for them both.

Tears fell from Simone’s eyes. What was happening? Armani hadn’t visited her in days and she missed his voice. Violence and dark thoughts plagued her. Her gut instinct told her something wasn’t right. Either Armani was in some sort of trouble or he had gone mad.

Six feet under and trapped in a coffin, her love was strong for him. She was dead but her soul lived on. She longed for God to take her to Heaven where she would be reunited with loved ones and sing with the angels. Why was God keeping her here? Why wouldn’t He just take her to eternal rest? Unable to move because her body was dead, her soul cried out for mercy.

“God, why are you torturing me? I can see, hear and think. Why?!” She screamed feeling like a patient with advanced MS.

God was silent. Simone rolled her eyes. This was not the afterlife she had imagined or been taught about while growing up. “I’m dead! Take me already!” She cried. Her body lay motionless in the small coffin, her hands folded over her chest in eternal prayer. Anguish rolled over her like waves on the ocean. She was in constant and never ending torment. How much more could she endure?

“What will happen to me? What will happen to Armani?” Simone asked. She stared at the black cloth that lined the coffin lid. If she were granted one wish, she would wish for mobility so she could fight her way out of this coffin. But even if wishes came true, she was dead and no one would see her. She’d be a ghost. She closed her eyes and cried. Gut wrenching sobs filled the dark coffin.

There had to be a reason for this. She thought about the movies she had seen over the years and remembered seeing how souls roamed the earth until justice was served to avenge the death of an innocent. She was murdered. Was Armani going to avenge her death? Would he kill Adam and Alex, allowing her soul the freedom to leave her body and go to Heaven? Opening her eyes, she had a new hope and prayed that this was the answer to her unrest.

A
rmani and Victor
walked side by side like soldiers marching to war, black capes flowing in unison, jaws set and no emotion on their faces. Adam and Alex followed like puppets on a string.

Gusty winds blew and heavy snow fell. Armani stopped and stared at the fountain in his yard reminding him of the happy days he once shared with Simone. What was once beautiful was now covered in snow and ice like his heart. He was dead inside and for that these two men would pay the price. He was broken and hated what he had become.

Victor shoved Adam and Alex toward Donovan. “Hold them.” He ordered. “Armani, come to me.” Victor stated. “The time has come. Vengeance is yours, my dearly beloved son.”

Armani glanced at Victor and looked to the right of him at the stakes lying on the ground.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Victor asked, wiping a snowflake off his face and gazing at it.

Armani smiled. “Yes. I’ve always loved snow.” He bent over and picked up a handful of snow examining it. “They say each snowflake has its own unique design.”

Victor smirked. “I’m not talking about snow or snowflakes. Do I look like a sentimental vampire to you?” He asked.

“No.” Armani shot back. “But the snow is still beautiful.”

“Now, that’s beautiful.” Victor said. He pointed at the shrine Donovan set up for the burning at the stake ceremony. “Who’s ready for a pig roast?” Victor asked and laughed loud.

Donovan laughed. Alex fell to his knees and pleaded for forgiveness. Adam stood still and stared at the stakes. “Oh, God no.” He mumbled.

“I must admit. This is set up exactly as they used to do it back in the days when they burned witches at the stake.” Armani said. “Impressive.”

Victor agreed. “Well done, Donovan. Thank you kindly.” He wrapped his cloak around himself. “Shall we get started? It’s getting cold and the fire will warm us.”

“Let it begin.” Donovan said. He walked to Armani and led him to the wooden stakes lying on the ground.

Armani cocked his head. “That’s odd. These stakes resemble a cross.” He couldn’t take his eyes off them for some unexplainable reason.

“Why certainly,” Donovan stated with a wave of his hand. “These men are paying for their sins. Correct?” He smirked proud of himself. “It’s poetry in motion.”

Victor laughed. Armani grunted and studied the place of execution. There was bundle of rope, a couple gas containers, a large hammer, nails and a few railroad stakes. Armani assumed they were to pierce the men’s forearms in order to insure they stayed up on the stakes.

The snow was cleared around the place of execution. Piles of wood surrounded the area like the set up for a bonfire. In the center stood what looked like a large wooden teepee pointing to the Heavens.

“Once we have them secured firmly to the stakes we place them in the middle of the standing triangular wood,” Donovan explained pointing. “Then Armani, you light the fire and torch these two miserable creatures.” He said and turned to glare at Adam and Alex who were crouched like cowards in the snow.

“Please, I beg you to let us go.” Adam whimpered staring at the stakes.

Victor walked to where Adam and Alex were huddled together and picked them up with swiftness dragging them to the stakes. “Let’s begin, shall we?” He shook Adam and Alex and threw them. “I don’t think I can bear to hear one more desperate cry for mercy.” He kicked snow in their faces, folded his arms and waited for Donovan and Armani.

Donovan held his hand out to Armani and asked, “Are you ready, my dear friend?” He gave him a reassuring smile like a father teaching his son to ride a bike for the first time.

“More than ready,” Armani responded taking Donovan’s hand. He clasped it for a moment, let go and walked to stand beside Victor.

The hawk flew above, eyes focused on the group. Satisfaction flooded its soul. What made humans become so evil and vile? Why did they want to hurt their own kind? The hawk circled once more before landing on a tree branch. Armani was a good man and now would make an excellent vampire. Donovan told him so and the hawk trusted Donovan. The hawk cocked its head, staring affectionately at Donovan, his forever Master.

Donovan gazed at the hawk and smiled. This was the moment the two of them had been waiting for.

Victor picked up Alex and thrust him on the stake. “Bind him.” He said spreading Alex’s arms out and holding him down. “Make haste Armani.” Victor ordered. Victor had his own agenda to take care of once this was over and the sooner the better.

Armani grabbed the rope, tied it around Alex’s waist and wrapped it up his body ending at his outstretched arms. “This reminds me of Jesus on the cross,” Armani remarked.

“Is that so?” Victor asked scoffing. “I would’ve said the thief to the left of Christ myself.” He laughed in Alex’s face. “We do have a humorous side.” Victor ripped the duct tape off Alex’s mouth. “I want to hear you scream. It will make me feel better.”

Alex flinched. It didn’t hurt nearly as bad as his eye being gouged out by that pathetic bird. The socket where his eye had been throbbed and his face burned. Death would be a welcome end from this torment and pain.

“Hand me the rail road ties Armani.” Victor ordered.

Armani handed them to Victor watching as he placed them on Alex’s forearms. Victor looked at Armani and smiled. “They have to be placed here because if they were placed through the hands the weight of their bodies wouldn’t be supported.” He snapped his fingers. “All that would happen is a tearing of the hands and they would fall to the ground.” Victor held the railroad ties waiting for Armani to pound them in. “Do it.”

Armani stared into Alex’s eyes and seethed, “This is for Simone, you son of a bitch.”

Alex spit in his face. “You’ll never get away with this.”

“Oh, but we will.” Victor retorted. “I’m an expert and have been getting away with this for over four hundred years.” He stared at Armani waiting for him to strike.

Raising the sledge hammer above his head Armani tightened his grip and brought the hammer down with force. It met the railroad tie with a loud metallic thud.

“My God!” Alex screamed his face etched with excruciating pain. Blood flowed out of his hand like a river when the dam is released.

“He’s going to bleed to death.” Armani stated.

“That is exactly why we must move with speed and deliberation.” Victor responded. “Now pierce the other hand. Donovan will place the stake in the center of the wood pile when you finish.” Victor flicked his head in Donovan’s direction. “Start the fire.”

“Yes sir.” Donovan replied. He walked to the large circle, spread gasoline on the wood and set the can aside. Lighting a match, he threw it on the wood and watched it burst into red and orange flames that danced in the wind waiting to be fed.

Armani pierced Alex’s other hand while Victor placed a kicking and screaming Adam on the second stake. Armani rushed to the second stake and hammered the railroad ties into Adam’s arms. Adam clenched his fists each time the hammer hit the railroad tie. “How does it feel to have your life taken from you?” Armani asked.

“About as good as it felt when I took the life from you that should’ve been mine,” Adam said, his voice barely audible. Adam raised his head, opened his mouth and shrieked like a crying baby.

Armani slapped him. “I’ll tell you a secret, Adam.” He waited until Adam was silent. “Simone cherished you as a friend and you killed her, you pathetic bastard.” He stood, raised his foot and stomped on the railroad tie shoving it further into Adam’s hand. “For your crimes you will pay.” He folded his arms and stared into Adam’s eyes. “And I must say I feel damn good right now for the first time in months so thank you for this.” He spit on Adam and walked away.

Adam wiggled like a mouse caught in a trap. Alex screamed profanities at the vampires. “You sick demented creatures! I’ll see you in Hell.” Alex said, blood pooling out of his mouth.

Donovan flew above and laughed. “Welcome to the Dark Airlines. We are pleased to announce that today you will be traveling to Hell in first class seats.” He dove down and grabbed Alex’s stake. Victor followed suit and plucked Adams stake from the ground. Armani watched with anticipation. He hoped this would heal his wounds and bring him closure.

“This is for you, Simone.” He said softly, tears escaping his eyes. “I love you and may you now rest in peace.” Wiping the tears away he watched as Victor and Donovan descended, stakes in their powerful
grasps, each setting a stake in the middle of the fire. Victor and Donovan
secured the stakes in place, ascended into the sky and descended to stand next to Armani. Victor waved his hand and the fire erupted like lava from a volcano. Donovan smiled, draping his arm over Armani’s shoulder.

“This is the moment you’ve been waiting for, my friend.” Donovan said. “Watch closely, think of Simone and let go of the hurt. This is avenging her death. Release and let go of the pain and allow the closure to take hold of you and your heart.”

Victor stood in silence, his face like stone, eyes black as a starless midnight sky and full of hate.

Armani watched the flames dance around Alex and Adam like a predator toying with its prey. Alex and Adam screamed trying to wriggle out of the way of the flames lapping at their ankles.

“How long does this last?” Armani asked. He assumed they would die within a matter of minutes.

Victor answered the question. He had lived for over four centuries and had witnessed many executions of this style. “It all depends. More than likely they will burn for some time before death takes them, either by heatstroke, shock, loss of blood or thermal decomposition of body parts. Some people die from suffocation and they are the lucky ones, I’d say.” He paused and watched as Alex and Adam’s calves and thighs caught fire. “The fire is starting to devour them.” He said and rubbed his hands together like a child anticipating a gift. Victor turned to look at Armani. “Pardon me,” he said, “The longest I’ve seen someone suffer is two hours.”

Armani nodded and watched Adam and Alex suffer. The pain they were going through was unbearable. Adam stared at Armani screaming and moaning. He tried to move but it was no use. Armani smiled at him, his fangs protruding. He was trapped, a prisoner of the flames of Hell now. Alex’s face turned blue and his breaths were labored. His mouth opened to scream but nothing came out. His torso burst into flames. He moved his head from side to side a few times, his body shook and his head went limp.

“Alex just passed away.” Victor stated. He looked at Armani and then to Donovan. “He was what I referred to as one of the lucky ones.” He averted his gaze back to Adam.

Adam called out to his father but it was no use. “You killed my dad!” He screamed his bound body bouncing on the stake. Adam’s forearms were in flames. His body buckled, his face wet with sweat. He looked at Armani. “Please. Help me!” He shrieked. His eyes grew large as the flames lapped at his face. Donovan, Armani and Victor watched as Adam’s face crinkled and sizzled like steak, turned black and melted off his body. He was dead in seconds. They continued to watch the flames engulf the dead men burning them to nothing but ashes.

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust may you two burn in Hell forever.” Victor prayed and did the Hail Mary. “Well done, my sons. It is finished.” He shook Donovan’s hand and turned to face Armani. “Congratulations on your first kill. This one was for the purpose of revenge. You have avenged the death of your one and only true love.” He placed his hand on Armani’s shoulder. “The Dark Ones stand for justice and peace as you know. From this day forward your kills will be for justice alone. You are a vigilante vampire, shining a light into the darkness by ridding the world of evil and wicked people.” He paused allowing Armani time to process the information. “Do you understand?” He asked.

Armani nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

“Good.” Victor replied. He bent over and wiped his hands in the snow. “Donovan will be your guide for a time.” He stood and stared at the fire still burning strong. He slicked back his jet-black hair and secured his cloak. “Donovan will help you clean up the ashes when the fire is out. The evidence will be burned away so no need to worry.” He reached out to Armani and embraced him. “I’m proud of you, my son. Welcome to my family, The Dark Ones.” He released Armani and stepped back. “If you’ll both excuse me I’m famished and have some business to attend to.” He bowed and was gone.

Donovan glanced at Armani. “Are you doing alright?” He asked, concerned.

Armani shrugged. “Yes. No. I don’t know.” He replied staring at the fire, his heart pounding out of his chest. He felt relieved, happy, sad, empty and guilty. He had so many different emotions swirling inside him like a blue sea that he thought he would drown. “I just need a moment of silence.”

“I understand.” Donovan said. “I’m going in the house. Once the fire is out I’ll take care of the clean up.” He rubbed Armani’s back in a soothing manner. “Take all the time you need. Let go of the negative emotions. You did the right thing. All vampires experience the guilt you’re feeling. Don’t be hard on yourself. You, my friend made yourself and the world a better place.” He smiled and walked toward the house stopping at the door to look at the branch the hawk was perched on. “Watch over him, my guardian and friend.” He whispered. The hawk nodded in acknowledgement.

The fire crackled and snapped. Armani watched the fire, amazed that just a while ago there were two men burning in the middle of it. The fire warmed his cold body but not his heart and soul. He closed his eyes praying to a God he knew would never forgive him for his transgressions.

A gust of wind blew over the fire making it dance in circles. Armani watched his eyes wide. What was happening? A surge of energy swept through the trees and they waved and danced in the wind like people celebrating a new life. The fire beckoned him to come near. Armani looked from left to right and walked toward the fire. He watched as the fire took on a life form. It twisted in a circle forming a spike at the top, flames flying rampantly around it. A human rose from the flames with outstretched arms. Armani squinted holding his hands above his eyes. Who was this? He wondered. It was a woman. A bright white light illuminated around her beautiful curves, her long brown hair blew in the wind. Simone. Armani held his arms out to her. “Simone . . . .” He whispered his cheeks damp from tears.

Simone was three feet above the fire staring at Armani with love in her eyes. “Armani, I have missed you.” She said. A tear fell from her eye.

Armani was breathless. Simone was the most angelic beautiful woman he had ever seen. “Now that it’s over, I just want to hold you. Please come to me, Simone.”

Simone smiled. “We will be together in another lifetime. When it’s your time I’ll be waiting for you in Heaven.” The light surrounding her grew brighter and two angels appeared to the left and right of her. “You have set me free and for that I am grateful. I love you, Armani.”

Armani tried to smile but his face cringed and he couldn’t stop crying. “Please don’t take her from me. Give her to me.” He looked from one angel to the other.

Both angels were silent.

Simone put her finger to her lips and blew a kiss to Armani. “Good bye Armani. I’ll see you on the other side.” She whispered. The bright light surrounding Simone dimmed like a flickering candle being blown about in the wind.

Armani reached out to her wanting to touch her, longing to hold her and never let go. He smiled, red tears falling from his eyes like a downpour of rain. His heart ached. Armani watched as Simone held hands with each angel. She smiled and they ascended to the Heavens.

Armani watched until they were a speck in the sky. Placing his head in his hands Armani dropped to his knees and wept. He lifted his head to the Heavens, grabbed a handful of hair and screamed. “God, why did you take her from me? Why did you let this happen?” Desperation washed over him. “I can’t live with this pain and agony!” He sobbed. Armani sat and stared at the place where Simone had just been. He had freed Simone by avenging her death but he didn’t feel closure. He felt empty and alone and always would without Simone in his life. “I can’t live with the choices I’ve made.” Armani said watching the fire burn out. “We will be together soon, Simone.” He whispered, wiping the tears from his eyes. Armani stood, wrapped his cloak around himself and turned to look at the house he used to call a home. He knew what he had to do next and nothing and no one was going to stop him.